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"wrong" oil grade

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Old May 2, 2003 | 07:39 PM
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Default "wrong" oil grade

"wrong" Grade oil by dealer

Just had my 3 yr service, and had my usual oil change by SF Honda . THought I'd change to synthetic as I'm at 24k miles and use less than 1 qt between 3k-3750 mi oil changes. Asked them to put in synthetic, and they have always (appropriately) put in 10w-30 in the past, as I'm picking it up tonight, I find they put in castrol 15w-50- advisor said that was what honda recommended. Of course, my manual doesn't say anything about using a different grade for synthetic. In SF, it shouldn't get too cold, so it doesn't seem like a big deal, but I still don't like it. Should I freak out and change the oil prior to my next oil change?
Thanks for the input!
Don
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Old May 2, 2003 | 09:00 PM
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UHHHHHH YOU BETTER FREAK OUT!!!!!! stick with 10-30
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Old May 2, 2003 | 10:15 PM
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Even though your climate doesn't get too cold, after the first start of the day, a 15W50 oil (even a synthetic) will exert a considerable pressure. I suppose if you let it idle till your oil temp gets up before you rev it, you may be alright. This car exhibits quite high oil pressure at the best of times and with 10W30, it'll still get up to near 90 psi if it's revved "cold". With 15W50, it might get much higher. I'd worry that if you didn't wait long enough for the oil to warm up, something could get damaged. Do you have an oil pressure gauge? I wouldn't run this weight of oil for long without having a gauge just to be sure.
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Old May 2, 2003 | 10:26 PM
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i think i'd go and ask them to change it. oil pressure is different when the oil is thicker so if you drive short distances alot, it will make a difference.
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Old May 2, 2003 | 10:47 PM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by SFDukie
[B]"wrong" Grade oil by dealer
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Old May 3, 2003 | 10:48 AM
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Thanks guys!
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Old May 5, 2003 | 08:22 AM
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SF Honda is notoriously sucky. I know that they only cary the Castrol Products, and if I remember correctly the Castrol Syntech only comes in 15-50. I would make them put in some Mobil 1 10W-30 or 5w-30. You can get it at costco.
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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 11:38 AM
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Anybody comment on my idea of mixing 1 or 2 qts 15W50 with rest 10W30 for usually warm LA weather? I always let car warm to 2 bars before even moving it, and 3 before accelerating / revving.
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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 11:47 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by UCrazyKid
SF Honda is notoriously sucky. I know that they only cary the Castrol Products, and if I remember correctly the Castrol Syntech only comes in 15-50.
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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 11:51 AM
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Originally posted by axis_of_evil
Anybody comment on my idea of mixing 1 or 2 qts 15W50 with rest 10W30 for usually warm LA weather? I always let car warm to 2 bars before even moving it, and 3 before accelerating / revving.
If you were to put say, 2 qts, you might average the overall viscosity to about 12W38 (Mickey Mouse calculation). You should be OK. But why go to that trouble? Why not find some 10W40? Personally, I wouldn't mess with it. Even the guys in Arizona, Nevada, Texas don't go to those lengths.
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